Owners offering reward for return of stolen sign

Published 8:00 pm, Tuesday, August 19, 2008

SAND POINT — When someone stole a decorated sign outside a local cottage this past weekend, the owner and friends say the perpetrators didn’t just steal a pretty placard.

“They stole their heritage,” said Linda Collins, a friend of Dennis and Gretchen Simmons, owners of a cottage on Sand Point that for the past two or three decades has had a white sign outside the home reading, “Das Kraut Haus,” in a German font.

Gretchen Simmons, a Clinton Township resident, said the sign was stolen sometime either late Saturday night or early Sunday morning.

“It’s just a heart break … and frustrating because it’s of no (monetary value),” she said. “ … It was more sentimental value than anything because it was put up by my dad, and it’s been up there for probably 25 to 30 years.”

“My dad’s been gone now for 15 years and (the sign) was a reminder of some of the things he did,” Gretchen Simmons added.

Because of the sign’s sentimental value, the Simmons are offering a reward for the return of the sign — with no questions asked.

“We did file a police report, but we would like (the sign) back and we will give a reward … no questions asked,” Gretchen Simmons said, noting the sign’s represented the German cottage that’s always been a “welcoming place for neighbors and friends.”

Collins said she also was upset because the “Das Kraut Haus” sign has been a landmark on Sand Point that has been used by her and many others for numerous years.

“Everybody who lives out here — and a lot of people in Caseville — know that sign,” she said.

Under the impression the sign was stolen as part of a prank, Collins said she encourages whoever took the sign to return it because they won’t be able to use it considering so many others in the area would recognize it as stolen.

“There’s no way anyone else can put it up in their yard … so just return it (and there’ll be) no questions asked,” Collins said.

Anyone who has any information regarding the sign is encouraged to call (586) 286-1331 or (989) 856-2137.